Public Knowledge (Sweet Pea x Reader)

The Texts

You were thankful that no one knew you were supposed to go out on a date with Adam Chisholm. Well, at least, no one who would whisper about it or bring it up to you and force you to face your embarrassing rejection. There had been a horrible moment of pure terror when you realized Adam may have brought it up and laughed about it with his friends or maybe someone saw you alone at Pop's, but you were so anonymous that it seemed like they didn't even deem you worth gossiping about. And thank goodness really.

You were just glad that the only person who knew what went down and how you reacted couldn't publicly acknowledge that he even knew you.

Because that's what this feeling was. This soft sort of numbness that reminded you of the feeling of snow, blanketing any and all thoughts of Sweet Pea and Adam and school. This was gladness.

You felt relieved when the texts came in.

It was good. It meant you could just let the whole storm pass. You didn't have to address the fact that you drank a milkshake alone. You didn't have to address how comfortable Sweet Pea was or how you liked the feeling of the worn leather jacket. You didn't have to address the fact your chest felt strangely hollow every time Sweet Pea sent you a text cancelling tutoring. You didn't have to address anything.

But, as you lay on your bed staring up at the ceiling, having finished the edits on his paper, you couldn't help but read over his texts for the tenth time and keep repeating one thought over and over again: you shouldn't be this upset.

He was your tutoree. Tutee? Some kid. A serpent. Serpents skipped help.

But then your thumbs were flying across the keyboard.

"You have to tell her." Toni said softly, looking up at Sweet Pea from across the bar.

"And you have to stop reading my texts," Sweet Pea clicked the screen off.

"She's clearly into you and you like her, what's the problem?" Toni snapped, moving backwards to grab a bottle from the bar to refill a glass

"You don't get it."

"Oh yes, I forgot, you are the only one who's ever experienced pining."

"Whatever," Sweet Pea growled, pushing away from the bar and starting towards the pool table where he could be left the hell alone.

"Get back here," Toni barked, and Sweet Pea stopped, turning to her with a glare. "No one cares, Pea. No one cares if you're into a Northsider. No one cares which Northsider you're into. No one cares about Northside vs. Southside anymore except for you. So if you like her, get over yourself and tell her."

"It's not a Northside/Southside thing," Sweet Pea grumbled, taking a hesitant step back to the bar.

"Then what is it?" Toni sighed, deflating a little herself.

Sweet Pea looked over his shoulder before sliding back onto the seat in front of Toni. "She's my English tutor."

"Oh my God."

"So I need help–"

"No, that was because you are so dumb. You're worried that people will find out that you needed help in English? And you're making this poor girl think she's the problem because of your stupid big ego?" Toni was practically screaming at him now, but Sweet Pea sat there, jaw set and body tense waiting for her to finish.

"It's not just that," he finally cut in, running a hand through his hair. "She never...she was supposed to go on a date with this Bulldog...she's not interested."

"Or maybe she thinks you're not interested because you refuse to admit to anyone you even know her." Sweet Pea opened and shut his mouth. "Just sayin' Pea. Stop avoiding her and talk to her. You found a girl willing to hug you of all people," Toni joked. "There's not too many of them out there in the world."

Sweet Pea lifted a finger as Toni let out a laugh and moved to help another customer.